COLORADO SPRINGS — 2020 is just a day away and with that means new rules for Colorado Springs.
Two major ones going into effect: parking meter rate increases and water restrictions.
Starting this Wednesday, Jan. 1, people will have to pay more to park downtown and nearby.
Prices will increase by 25 cents an hour. Meters closest to the city center will charge $1.25 per hour.
Meters further out will charge $1 per hour and those on the outskirts of downtown will charge 75 cents per hour.
The change is being met with mixed reviews.
"I don't feel that it's just...for those who do their business downtown, and they may have other things to do, or restaurants or anything like that I'm sure that affects them in some kind of ways," Kion Shaw said.
We're told parking meter rates have not increased in 14 years despite major growth in the city.
"The more people that move here the nicer you want it and accessible to all the shops...if they do that I don't think it can hurt," Tim Craig said.
As far as water restrictions - this is a recent development that happened just this month. On Dec. 19, the Colorado Springs City Council voted 7-2 to pass an ordinance that will restrict people to watering their lawns and gardens only three times a week.
From May to October people are being asked to water before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
Colorado Springs City Council Member Jill Gaebler shared that Colorado Springs Utilities is really trying to promote water conservation and that with the right types of grasses and plants watering three times a week will be sufficient.
"Colorado in general does not have enough water for its rapidly growing population. We in Colorado Springs receive almost 70 percent of our water from the Colorado River on the Western Slope," Gaebler said.
Gaebler said there is an exception to this ordinance: people who have recently planted a lawn or trees can get a permit to water more often.
She said before any enforcement is done on the water restrictions there will be a lot of education for the community. After that if people do not comply they will get a warning and if this continues they'll get a fine which could be $100 to $500.
